In India, Platinum Demand Takes Off

Buying Is on the Rise Elsewhere in Asia, Too; Supply Is Constrained

When 28-year-old Neha Mishra marries later this month, she will break a long-held Indian tradition by slipping on platinum jewelry rather than heavy, gold ornaments.

"Instead of buying only gold jewelry, which looks monotonous, I thought why not go for some platinum jewelry for this special occasion of my life," she said, while poring over a display of white metal jewelry in the western Indian city of Mumbai. "It gives...